Belcourt’s This Wound is a World was chosen from three Canadian finalists at a ceremony in Toronto Thursday night. American poet Susan Howe was also chosen in the international category. Both winners will take home a total of $75,000.

While the prize comes as a powerful endorsement of his creative talent, Belcourt said the recognition has only made him more determined to “push towards the political goals that I have…. I see it all as an incentive to be more purposeful about how I pay back communities.”